Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Elite 2.8i V6 24v Turbo 4x4 5dr Car Review - March 2012

With a maximum power output of 256 bhp at 5500 rpm with torque figures of 358 lb-ft at 1900-4500 rpm, this car is capable of a decent top speed of 154 mph. Considering the size and class of this car these figures are incredibly impressive and the 2.8i turbo powered engine outperforms the others within the range.

The model is an excellent motorway cruiser and the ride is generally fairly refined, although road noise can become an issue at higher speeds. Wind noise is well contained.

The steering lacks a little in terms of feedback when compared to some rivals, and the driving experience is not a particularly exciting one.

In terms of standard equipment, this model comes with a decent selection of in-car features. Power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, leather seats, rear parking sensors, an advanced stereo system with CD and MP3 compatibility as well as a built-in sat nav are all fitted as standard.

On top of this, Bluetooth connectivity can be added for an additional £220 whilst the exterior can be upgraded to a metallic paint finish for an extra £495.

A generous boot space is one of the benefits of this model and an impressive 540 litre capacity is offered even when the seats are in place. With the seats folded down this expands to 1,530 litres – making it more than ample for the average family.

Reliability is expected to be strong and this means buyers shouldn’t have to face expensive maintenance costs. A five year 100,000 mile warranty is offered on the car for extra assurance and a service is recommended every 20,000 miles.

In terms of safety, the car performed well in the NCAP crash tests, achieving the top rating (five stars) for overall safety. Occupant safety was also rated at five stars with child safety achieving four stars.

These high safety levels are partly thanks to an advanced safety kit which is fitted as standard. This offers driver, passenger and front side airbags all as standard features. An alarm and immobiliser are also fitted.

Priced at £35,780 this model is one of the most expensive in the range. There is a vast selection of in-car kit fitted as standard and a high level of performance to justify this price but, as a family car, the low economic value puts this model at a disadvantage.

Green credentials are low with high carbon emissions of 265 g/km and this means road tax costs are likely to be extortionate falling under the highest band, M. Insurance premiums are also fairly high under insurance group 32 and fuel economy of just 25.0 mpg on a combined cycle means refuelling will be expensive too.

Overall, the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer Elite 2.8i V6 24v tubro 4x4 5dr is a decent family car which offers great performance levels, but consequently not a lot in terms of value for money. If such high performance is not an essential, it would make a lot more sense to look at some of the more efficient engines in the range.